CHRISTMAS FAIRIES FOR OUMA

An unusual card travels around the world.

Tessa, who lives in America, draws fairies on a Christmas card and mails it to her Ouma (grandmother) in South Africa. The unstamped message includes no recipient information besides “Ouma, Cape Town, South Africa.” But thanks to the kindness of postal workers, the technically unmailable card wends its global way—until, improbably, it arrives in Cape Town. A man named Peter discovers it accidentally tucked inside his own mail and, charmed by the artwork, decides to paste it on a local baker’s window, in case the woman passes by. But a gust of wind blows it away…straight into Tessa’s Ouma’s hand. Thus, the wayward card is miraculously delivered, ostensibly through fairy and Christmas magic. This sweet, upbeat holiday tale, sprinkled with English, Afrikaans, and isiZulu words commonly used in South Africa (defined in a glossary), hits the right seasonal note with its hopeful message. The story’s premise might seem fantastical, but in an author’s note, McDivitt mentions she and her sister Tessa, then Minnesota youngsters, successfully sent just such an unorthodox holiday mailing to their grandmother in South Africa. Colorful illustrations exude lively energy, well suited for a story about mail flying globally; the mileage the card travels (including figures) is indicated by red dotted lines throughout. Various international landmarks and scenes are depicted. Tessa, Ouma, and Peter present White; background characters are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Warm holiday fun with a charming international flavor.